Franklin Albert Sannar

Franklin A. Sannar, 84, died March 13, 2024, in Walla Walla. As a child, he attended Milton-Freewater and Weston, Oregon schools. While in high school, he joined the Oregon National Guard. Prior to his senior year of high school, he joined the US Navy for active duty. Franklin loved the Navy. It enabled him to be on the water and travel the world, all while serving his country. He made many WESTPAC tours: twice to the Antarctic and Vietnam.

After retiring from the Navy, he attended WWCC for one year. Ivon Bailey, the man who had recruited Franklin for the Navy, subsequently recruited him for a job at the Washington State Employment Office. In order to be hired, Franklin had to take a competitive exam. He scored the highest in all of Washington State! He was employed in a variety of positions for Washington State for the next 25 years.

Franklin met Teri on a blind date while home on leave. He then took every opportunity to hitchhike back and forth from Seattle to Walla Walla to see her. He married Teri three days before leaving for Vietnam. The Navy gave Teri VERY LITTLE money to live on, but she saved every penny she could so that they could afford Franklin’s overseas collect calls, which were VERY expensive.

Franklin and Teri loved and missed each other very much! They weathered life’s storms in each other’s arms.

His favorite hobby since childhood was fishing. He also bowled on the Elks bowling team, obtaining a 300 score three times! He was very proud of his garden, which included many vegetables and 300 roses. After returning from Vietnam, he always had cocker spaniels in his life. Franklin was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Life Member of Elks 2146 (PER 89), and Life Member of DVA and RNA.

Researching his genealogy, he discovered he was a descendant of Frances Eaton, a Mayflower passenger. In the late 1800s, the Sannar clan moved from West Virginia to Promise, Oregon.

Franklin was preceded in death by his son, Franklin Jr (Linny), and daughter, Emily; his parents, two brothers, and three sisters. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Teri, and his white cocker spaniel, Annie.

Thank you to Joanne Perez for providing excellent care.

The recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 6:00 PM at the Chapel of Herring Funeral Home. The Committal Service will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 11:00 AM, at Mountain View Cemetery, with full military honors.